Vertical centrifugal pump

ABSTRACT

A vertical centrifugal pump having a stationary shaft and a rotating shaft and means associated with said shafts for adjusting the clearance between the pump impeller and pump casing. Means are also provided for adjusting the clearance between the expeller and a die ring which is secured in a position to form a labyrinth passage for protecting the bearing means for the shaft. The stationary and rotating shafts are coaxially arranged in a manner to provide an effective seal for the shaft bearings.

United States Patent 1 .QJQQQEQ Hornschuch ..4l5/131 Zagar [451 (wa ks-222. 2

[54] VERTICAL CENTRIFUGAL PUMP 3,472,169 10/1969 Dyke et al. ..415/34 9 72 Inventor: Irvin Frank z g Lakewood 2,865,296 12/1958 Bungartz ..415/143 C010 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [731 Assignw and Inc-i 905 610 911962 Great Britain ..41s/112 Denver, Colo.

[22] Filed: Feb. 26,1971 Primary Examiner-Henry F. Raduazo pp No: 119,233 AttorneySh0emaker & Mattare [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl AIS/131, 417/424, 4l5/219C a A vertical ntrif gal pump having a stationary shaft [51] Int. Cl. ..F04d U00, F04d 29/40, F04d 13/02 and a rotating shaft and means, associated with said [58] Field of ML shafts for adjusting the clearance between the pump q impeller and pump casing. Means are also provided Y r for adjusting the clearance between the expeller and a [56] Rekrences m die ring which is secured in a position to form a UNITED STATES PATENTS labyrinth passage for protecting the bearing means for the shaft. The stationary and rotating shafts are coaxi- 2,536,638 j l/l95l Greene ..415/l31 n arranged i a manner to provide an effective sea] 2,608,423 8/1952 Wilfley ..4l5/34 for the h f bearings 2,865,299 12/1958 l-lomschuch et al ..4l5/131 2,947,260 8/1960 30 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ria H mull mull,

0, Mar

PAIENTl-fnnzc 5|972 3.704.960 SHEET 2 0F 3 8 24' a4 86 as as 42' 85 Id I INVENTOR.

IRVIN F. ZAGAR ATTORNEYS VERTICAL CENTRIFUGAL PUMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to vertical centrifugal pumps. It is a problem in prior art vertical centrifugal pumps to provide an effective means for compensating for wear between the impeller and easing of the pump in order to maintain the clearance within predetermined limits in order to obtain efficient operation of the pump. It is often necessary to either repair or replace the worn parts in the prior art pump in order to maintain this clearance within tolerable limits. Further, it is difiicult to achieve an efiective seal between the impeller and casing for preventing contaminants from reaching the shaft bearings of the pump without resorting to expensive construction in order to protectthe bearings- The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a simple andeflective adjustment means for adjusting the clearance between the impeller and casing to maintain the clearance within certain predetermined limits in order to obtain the most effective operation from the pump. Further, the shaft of the pump in the present invention is arranged in such a manner that an effective and simple bearing seal is provided for preventing contaminants from reaching the bearings, and accordingly greater pump and bearing life is realized. Moreover, according to one embodiment of the invention, the length of depth of submersion of the pump may be adjusted by adding to or removing sections from the pump shaft, die ring cylinder and other parts to increase the flexibility of installation of the pump.

In the present invention, a threaded adjustment means is associated with the pump shaft for adjusting the shaft and impeller axially vertically with respect to the pump casing in order to adjust the clearance between the impeller and casing to maintain the most efficient operation of the pump. Further, the pump shaft includes a stationary shaft and a coaxially arranged rotating shaft which is connected to the impeller. Bearing means are provided between the stationary and rotating shafts and the stationary and rotating shafts are sealed with respect to one another to prevent the fluid being pumped from reaching the bearings. Further, a sleeve means is disposed in coaxial relationship with the pump shaft and includes a labyrinth seal means thereon for effecting a labyrinth seal between the expeller and pump shaft. Adjustment means also is provided for independently adjusting the clearance at the labyrinth seal in order to compensate for wear and to adjust the expeller clearance in order to obtain the most effective seal. In one embodiment of the invention, sections may be added to or removed from the stationary and rotating shafts and the sleeve means to adjust the length or depth of submergence of the pump, and support bearing meansare provided between the radial and thrust bearings to add stability and rigidity to the extended pump. These support bearing means, by damping critical vibrations, coupled with the double volute case construction described in patent application, Ser. No. 28,735, filed Apr. 15, 1970, and which reduces unbalanced radial forces on the impeller, enables a much more increased length of pumping unit.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a vertical centrifugal pump having a simple and effective means for readily adjusting the clearance between the pump impeller and pump casing.

It is another object of this invention to provide a vertical centrifugal pump having a simple and effective means for sealing the shaft bearings from the fluid being pumped.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a means for adjusting both the clearance between a pump impeller and pump casing and for adjusting a part of the seal means between the casing and shaft of the pump.

A further object is to provide a means for adjusting the length or depth of submergence of the pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view in elevation of on embodiment of the pump.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view in elevation of a second embodiment of the pump.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a third embodiment of the pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and comprises a generally horizontally disposed main pump support pump platform 10 with a main pump slide base 11 secured to the upper surface thereof as by means of bolts or screws 12 or the like. A motor pedestal 13 is adjustably mounted to the main pump slide base by means of main pump slide bolts 14 or the like extended through generally horizontally disposed slots 15 in the main pump slide base. A suitable motor means 16 :is supported on the motor pedestal for driving the pump. A motorshaft 16 extends downwardly from the motor and a motor sheave 17 is secured thereto for rotation therewith. .A plurality of V-belts 18 are reeved on the motor sheave and on a pump sheave 19. A main pump slide adjustment screw Zll extends longitudinally through the main pump support platform and through a main pump support adjustment screw bracket 26 for adjusting the main pump slide base. The distance between the motor sheave and pump sheave may be adjusted by means of the mainpump slide bolts and main pump slide adjustment screw for adjusting the tensioning on the belts 18. The pump sheave 19 is secured to an end cap 21 by means of screws or bolts 22 or the like and the end cap is in turn secured to a rotating pump shaft 23 by means of cap screws or bolts or the like 24. The rotating pump shaft 23 is comprised of three axially aligned parts connected in end-to-end relationship: and upper rotating bearing ring 25 connected at its upper end to the end cap; a lower rotating bearing ring 26; and a rotating bearing housing 27, connected at its opposite ends between the upper rotating bearing ring 25 and the lower rotating bearing ring 26 by means of screws or bolts 28 and 29 or the like. A rotating shaft adapter 30 is connected to the lower end of the lower rotating bearing ring 26 by means of cap screws or bolts 31 or the like, and extends downwardly in axial alignment with the rotating shaft to form an axle or shaft hub 32 upon which is suitablysecured a runner or impeller 33 having suitable ports or vanes 34 therein. The structure including the rotating shaft thus described forms a means for transmitting power from the motor to the impeller.

A hollow, generally vertically disposed stationary shaft 35 is positioned coaxially within the rotating shaft and extends upwardly at its upper end substantially beyond the upper end of the rotating shaft and the pump sheave andv is supported in a cylindrical shaft support sleeve 36. The lower end. of the shaft support sleeve 36 includes a diametrically enlarged depending skirt 37 within which is disposed a shaft locking hub 38 which is wedged or cammed between the skirt 37 and shaft 35. One or a plurality of pull-up bolts 39 or the like are operatively connected between the skirt and locking hub'for wedging the locking hub between the shaft and skirt and one or a plurality of locking hub jack screws 40 are operatively engaged between the skirt and locking hub for releasing the shaft locking hub. The shaft support sleeve 36 is connected to and supported by a plurality of shaft sleeve support arms 41 secured at one end to the shaft sleeve and at their other end to the main pump support platform. The shaft support arms 41, shaft support sleeve 36 and main pump support platform may be all formed integrally if desired or may be joined together as by welding or the like.

A radial bearing means 42 is interposed between the stationary shaft 35 and the upper rotating bearing ring 25, and a thrust bearing means 43 is interposed between the lower most end of the stationary shaft 35 and the lower rotating bearing ring 26. The bearing means serve to rotatably support the rotating shaft 23 on the stationary shaft 35. A pair of lubricating fittings 44 and 45 extend longitudinally within the stationary shaft to points adjacent the bearings for lubricating the bearings, and a flexible grease retainer 46 is disposed around the stationary shaft 35 between the stationary shaft and upper rotating bearing ring for maintaining the lubrication adjacent the upper bearings 42.

A die ring adjustment sleeve or cylinder 47 is disposed in surrounding coaxial relationship with the rotating bearing housing 27 and extends at its upper and through an opening 48 in the main pump support platform 10, and at its lower end extends downwardly below the rotating shaft adapter 30. A die ring adapter 49 is secured to the lower end of the die ring adjustment sleeve 47 and a stationary die ring 50 is secured to the die ring adapter by means of machine screws 51 or the like. An upwardly and outwardly flared axial extension or expeller 52 is formed on the impeller and includes a skirt portion 53 cooperating with a forwardly extending annular rib or wall 54 on the die ring to effect a labyrinth seal between the casing and shaft. When the pump is running, the expeller 52 expels fluid from the area between the rotating shaft and the die ring adjustment sleeve behind the die ring, and the expeller in conjunction with the labyrinth seal prevents fluid from passing beyond the die ring 50 to the space between the die ring adjustment sleeve or cylinder and the rotating shaft, thus enabling the shaft to rotate in a dry environment. See FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate the level of the fluid being pumped with the pump running and stationary, respectively. p

The shaft or impeller hub 32 extends downwardly through a central opening 55 in a follower plate 56 having'a downwardly projecting volute case or wall 57 thereon in surrounding relation to the impeller or runner 33. a pump case 58 closes the lower end of the volute wall and includes an upstanding peripheral wall portion 59 spaced outwardly of the volute wall and engaged at its upper peripheral edge in a marginal recess 60 in the follower plate 56. A case gasket seal 61 is disposed in the recess for sealing the case to the follower plate. I

The follower plate 56, volute case 57 and pump case 58 are held in assembled relationship by means of a follower plate guide 62 and a case support 63 held together in clamped assembled relationship by means of stud bolts 64 or the like. An intake reservoir 65 is assembled to the follower plate 56, volute case 57 and follower plate guide 62 and is disposed in surrounding relationship to the lower end of the die ring adjustment sleeve 47. The inlet into the intake reservoir is provided by a plurality of openings 66 formed in abrasion resistant liners 67 which are replaceable and have an anti-vortexing blade (not shown). The number of intakes open can be varied to determine the capacity of the pump. One or more openings 68 are also provided in the upper end of the intake reservoir 65 to which a flexible hose or the like (not shown) may be attached to introduce clear water or the like to the pump to prime or flush the pump. The outlet from the pump case is through a discharge keeper elbow 69 and then upwardly through a vertical stand pipe 70 to a location above the main pump platform 10.

The follower plate 56, volute case 57, pump case 58 and intake reservoir 65 are supported by a guide means 71 comprised of an upper annular ring 71 secured to the main pump platform 10 in any desired manner such as by bolts 72; a lower annular ring 72 suitably. secured to the top end of the intake reservoir and having an inlet opening 68' therein aligned with the inlet opening 68; an annular guide ring 73 intermediate the upper and lower guide rings and extending insurround relationship to the die ring adjustment sleeve or cylinder 47 with a guide ring 74 of Teflon or the likeinterposed between the ring 73 and the die ring adjustment sleeve 47 for reducing the resistance to relative axial movement between the die ring adjustment sleeve and the guide means; and three longitudinally extending, equally spaced support members, only one of which, 71", is shown, formed integrally with the rings 71', 72" and 73 and holding the rings in predetermined fixed spaced relationship.

In order to obtain the most efficient operation of the pump, a predetermined clearance is maintained at D between the runner or impeller 33 and the follower plate 56. Further, the clearance at E between the expeller 52 and die ring 50 must be maintained within predetermined limits in order to obtain an effective seal. In order to maintain these clearances within predetermined limits, adjustment means is provided for adjusting the spacing between the impeller 33 and follower plate 56 and between the expeller 52 and die ring 50. The adjustment is accomplished by means of a stationary shaft adjustment nut 75 which is threaded on an externally threaded end portion 76 of the stationary includes a radially outwardly extending flange 77 and a plurality of elongated support rods or members 78 are threaded or otherwise secured to the flange and extend upwardly to a support plate 79 which is held in fixed relationship to the stationary shaft 35 between a stationary shaft shoulder 80 and a lock nut 81 threaded on the end of the stationary shaft. Accordingly, when the stationary shaft 35 is adjusted upwardly or downwardly by means of the nut 75, the support plate 79 is carried along with the stationary shaft, and through the support rods or members 78, the die ring adjustment sleeve 47 and die ring 50 are adjusted upwardly or downwardly along with the stationary shaft to maintain the clearance between the expeller 52 and the die ring 50 constant as the clearance between the impeller 33 and follower plate 56 is adjusted.

Alternatively, the nut 75 could be welded or other wise secured to the shaft support sleeve 36 and the stationary shaft 35 turned relative thereto as by means of the nut 81, which would be suitably secured to the shaft 335 to effect rotation of the shaft by turning the nut. independent adjustment of the clearance between the die ring 50 and the expeller 52 is accomplished by adjusting the position of the support rods or members 78 relative to the support plate 79.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the second embodiment of the invention is illustrated and parts corresponding to the same parts in the FIG. 1 embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals primed. This embodiment of the invention differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 primarily in that the adjustment. means for adjusting the clearance between the impeller and follower plate and between the expeller and die ring is accomplished through a plurality of adjustments and the intake reservoir is eliminated from the pump case, although the reservoir could be provided in this embodiment if desired.

This embodiment of the invention includes a main pump support platform having a plurality of upwardly curved support arms 41' connected at their upper ends to a stationary shaft support sleeve 36', having a diametrically enlarged downwardly extending skirt 37' thereon. A stationary pump shaft 35' extends coaxially through the shaft support sleeve 36' and is held in fixed relationship to the shaft support sleeve 36' by means of a locking hub 38' wedged between the shaft and skirt 37 and secured in position by means of the bolts 39'. A pump sheave 19' is rotatably disposed around the stationary shaft 35 and is secured to an end cap 21' by means of bolts or the like 22. The end cap 21' is secured to a rotating bearing housing 82 by means of bolts or the like 24'. The rotating bearing housing includes an upper end portion disposed in surrounding relationship to an upper, radial bearing means 42' and a lower end portion disposed in surrounding relationship to a lower thrust bearing means 43'. The

rotating bearing housing 82 comprises the rotating shaft for the pump and a rotating shaft adapter 30 is secured to the lower end of the rotating shaft 82 by means of bolts 31 or the like. An impeller hub or axle 32' extends downwardly from the rotating shaft adapter 30' and has an impeller or runner 33' secured thereto. A plurality of ports or vanes 34' or the like are formed in the impeller. Also formed on the impeller is an upwardly extending outwardly flared expeller 52 having an annular skirt 53 disposed in cooperating relationship with an annular downwardly projecting rib or wall 54' on a stationary die ring 50' to define a labyrinth seal between the shaft and pump case and to expel fluid from the space between the die ring adjustment sleeve and rotating shaft when the pump is operating. The shaft or impeller hub 32' extends through an opening 55 in a follower plate 56' which has a downwardly extending annular volutewall or case 57. The lower end of the volute wall 57' is closed by a pump case 58' which includes an annular upstanding wall 59' thereon extending at its upper marginal edge in a recess 60' formed in the follower plate 56'. The follower plate, volute case and pump case are held in assembled relationship on the follower plate guide 62 and a case support 63' which are held in clamped relationship on the follower plate volute case and pump case by means of a plurality of support rods 83 extending at their lower ends through the follower plate guide 62' and case support 63' and extending at their upper ends through the main pump support platform 10. The upper ends of the support rods 83 are threaded and include a pair of adjusting nuts 84 and 85 thereon on opposite sides of the main pump support platform 10' for adjustably supporting the support rods 83 and pump case relative to the main pump support platform 10' and to the impeller 33'. Washers 86 and 87 are disposed between the adjusting nut84 and adjusting nut 85, respectively, and the main pump support platform 110'.

A die ring support sleeve 47' is disposed in surrounding relationship to the rotating shaft 83 and is held in fixed relationship to the main pump support platform Mi by means of an annular flange 88' welded to the sleeve d7 adjacent its upper end and bolted to the main pump support platform by means of bolts or the like 89 extended through the flange and through the main pump support platform. Adie ring adapter 49' is suitably secured to the lower end of the die ring support sleeve 4i? and the die ring 50' is secured to the die ring adapter by means of a plurality of bolts or screws or the like 51'. By adjusting the position of the nuts 84 and 85 Q on the support rods 83, the position of the rods relative to the main pump support platform 10' is adjusted and accordingly the position of the follower plate 56' relative to the impeller 33 is adjusted thereby varying the clearance D between the impeller and the follower plate.

A stationary shaft adjustment nut 90 is threaded on the upper end of the stationary shaft 35' and cooperates with the stationary shaft support sleeve 36' so that when the nut is turned in the appropriate direction, the stationary shaft 35' is caused to move upwardly or downwardly to thereby vary the clearance both at D and E.

'ring 50 also provides a protective seal for the bearings.

As can be seen, the first embodiment provides an adjustment whereby the clearance D between the impeller and follower plate may be adjusted by turning the single adjustment nut 75 or 81 and without affecting the clearance between the expeller 52 and die ring 50 since the die ring adjustment sleeve 47 is moved along with the stationary shaft by means of the support rods 78 and support plate 79 which is engaged with stationaryshaft shoulder 80 on the stationary shaft 35. Fine adjustment of the clearance E between the expeller and die ring may be accomplished by adjusting the position of the support rods 78 relative to the support plate 79.

In the second embodiment, on the other hand, manipulation of the nut 90 on the stationary shaft 35 causes both the clearance E between the expeller and die ring and the clearance D between the impeller and follower plate to be adjusted, and the clearance between the impeller and follower plate may be independently adjusted by adjusting the position of the nuts 84 and 85 on the support rods 83.

A case support guide ring 91 is suitably secured, as by welding or the like, to the die ring support sleeve 47' and includes apertures 92 adjacent the periphery thereof through which the case support rods 83 extend for guiding the support rods and maintaining the case in proper alignment with the impeller.

In both embodiments, the bearings are effectively sealed from the liquid being pumped and accordingly greater bearing and pump life is achieved. Moreover, it is to be understood that a lubrication system in the second embodiment may be provided substantially identical to the lubrication system described with reference to the first embodiment, and similar inlet and outlet means may be provided for the pump.

A third embodiment of the pump is illustrated in FIG. 3. This embodiment of the invention is identical in every respect with the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described with reference to FIG. 1, except that the rotating and stationary shafts 23 and 35, respectively, the die ring adjustment sleeve 47 and guide means 71 are each provided with a threaded or flanged and bolted joint or connection intermediate their ends between the radial bearing 42 and thrust bearing 43 whereby one or more sections may be added thereto to increase the length or depth of submergence of the pump.

Looking to FIG. 3, a modified guide means 93 comprises at least an upper section 94 and a lower section 95 which are removably joined together at their adjacent ends as by means of bolts 96 or the like extended through a flange 97 on the upper section and a mating, abutting flange 98 on the lower section. A modified die ring adjustment sleeve 99 comprised of at least an upper section 100 and a lower section 101 is similarly suitably removably secured together at the adjacent ends of the upper and lower sections by means of bolts or the like 102 extended through mating abutting flanges 103 and 104 on the upper and lower sections, respectively.

A modified rotating shaft 105 is similarly comprised of at least an upper section 106 and a lower section 107 suitably removably secured together at their adjacent ends as by means of bolts or cap screws or the like 108 extended through mating, opposed abutting flanges 109 and 110 on the upper and lower sections, respectively. A modified stationary shaft 111 likewise comprises at least an upper section 112 suitably removably secured to a lower section 113 by suitable means such as internal threads 114 in the end of the upper section in which is matingly threaded an externally threaded end 1 15 of the lower section. At least one support bearing means 116 is disposed between the stationary and rotating shafts adjacent the point of interconnection of the upper and lower sections of the shafts for strengthening and rigidifying the pump and for damping vibrations. By providing the releasable or removable coupling or interconnection between the ends of the guide means 93, die ring adjustment sleeve 99, rotating shaft 105, and stationary shaft 111, one or more sections may be added to or removed from these elements to increase or shorten the length or depth of submergence of the pump to thus substantially increase the flexibility of installation of the pump.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description proceeding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. A vertical centrifugal pump comprising a normally horizontally disposed pump support means, normally vertically disposed pump shaft means extending through an opening in said pump support means and supported relative thereto, pump case means supported by said pump support means in spaced relation thereto, impeller means secured to said shaft means for rotation therewith, said impeller means being disposed within said case means, expeller means adjacent said impeller means and connected for rotation with said shaft means, stationary means disposed adjacent said expeller means, said expeller means cooperating with said stationary means to form a labyrinth seal therebetween, and adjustment means for adjusting the clearance between the impeller means and pump case.

2. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 1, wherein said shaft means includes a stationary shaft and a rotating shaft coaxially arranged therewith.

3. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 2, wherein said stationary shaft is disposed coaxially within said rotating shaft.

4. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 3, wherein said rotating shaft includes a lower end and an upper end, an impeller hub on the lower end of said rotating shaft, said impeller means being secured to said impeller hub.

5. A verticalcentrifugal pump as in claim 4, wherein bearing means are disposed between said rotating shaft and said stationary shaft for rotatably supporting said rotating shaft relative to said stationary shaft.

6. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 5, wherein the upper end of said stationary shaft extends upwardly beyond said pump support means, and a stationary shaft support sleeve is engaged'in supporting relationship with the upper end of said stationary shaft for supporting said stationary shaft relative to said pump support means.

7. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 1, wherein said stationary means comprises die ring means supported in operative position relative to said expeller means by means of a die ring cylinder disposed in coaxial surrounding relationship to said shaft means.

8. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 7, having meanswherein said die ring cylinder is longitudinally adjustable relative to said shaft means to thereby adjust the position of said die ring means relative to said expeller means.

9. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 8, wherein said pump case means is supported relative to said pump support means by a guide means connected at one end to thepump support means and at the other end to the pump case means, said guide means including means engaged with said die ring cylinder to maintain the shaft means and impeller means in proper operative alignment with the pump case means.

10. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 5, wherein said bearing means includes upper bearing means disposed between said rotating shaft and said stationary shaft and lower bearing means disposed between the lower end of said stationary shaft and said rotating shaft.

11. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 10, wherein said rotating shaft is comprised of three portions, including an upper bearing ring disposed in surrounding relationship to said upper bearing means, a lower bearing ring disposed in surrounding relationship to said lower bearing means, and a rotating bearing housing connected at its opposite ends to said upper bearing ring and said lower bearing ring, respectively.

12. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 10, wherein said rotating shaft is of substantially one-piece construction and includes an upper end disposed in surrounding relation to said upper bearing means and a lower end disposed in surrounding relation to said lower bearing means.

13. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means includes means operatively connected to said shaft means for adjusting the position of the shaft means relative to the pump support means and the impeller relative to the pump case means for adjusting the clearance between the impeller means and the pump case means.

14. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 13, wherein said adjustment means further includes means operatively connected with said pump case means for adjusting the position of said pump case means relative to said pump support means and to said impeller means for adjusting the clearance between said impeller means and said pump case means. i

15. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 6, wherein said adjustment means includes means'operatively associated with sad stationary shaft means and with said pump support means for adjusting the stationary shaft means, rotatingshaft means and impeller means in an axial direction relative to said pump case means for adjusting the clearance between said impeller means and said pump case means.

16. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 15, wherein the upper end of said stationary shaft means extends upwardly beyond said stationary shaft support sleeve and has external thread meansthereon, said adjustment means comprising an adjustment nut means threaded on said external thread means so that when said nut is turned, said stationary shaft is longitudinally adjusted relative to said sleeve.

17. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 16,

wherein said adjustment means includes means operaportion defining an upwardly facing shouldermeans,

said means for adjusting the position of said die ring means including a support plate means clamped between said shoulder means and a nut means.

threadably engaged on said reduced diameter portion so that said support plate means is secured to said stationary shaft for movement therewith, and support rod means connected with said support plate means and said die ring means for moving said die ring means along with said support plate means as said stationary shaft means is moved to maintain the clearance between the expeller means and die ring means constant as the clearance between said impeller means and said pump case means is adjusted.

19. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 18, wherein a die ring adjustment cylinder is disposed in coaxial surrounding relationship to said rotating. shaft means and includes a lower end connected with said i die ring means and an upper end connected with said support rod means.

20. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 19, wherein the upper end of said stationary shaft means includes a diametrically enlarged, externally threaded portion and a nut means is threadably engaged with said diametrically enlarged portion and is in operative engagement with said stationary shaft support sleeve means for supporting the stationary shaft in predetermined axial position relative to said stationary shaft,

support sleeve means.

21. A vertical centrifugal pump in claim 16,.

wherein said adjustment means further includes separate adjustment means operatively connected with said pump case for adjusting the position of said pump case relative to said impeller means.

22. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 21, wherein saidseparate adjustment means comprises a plurality of rod meansoperatively connected at one end to said pump case means and adjustably connected at the other end to said main pump support means.

- casing.

23. .A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 22, wherein said rod means comprises a plurality of elongate rods, said other end of each of said rods extending through a hole in said main pump support, external thread means on sad other end of each said rod means, and nut means threadably engaged with said external threads on said rod means above and below said main pump support means for adjustably positioning said rod means relative to said pump support means and said pump case means relative to said impeller means.

24. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 1, wherein intake reservoir means is' operatively connected to said pump case and forms an inlet to said pump case for fluid to be pumped, said intake reservoir having a plurality of inlet openings therein.

25. A vertical centrifugal pumpas in claim 24, wherein anti-vortexing means are provided in said intake reservoir adjacent said inlet openings for substantially reducing vortical movement of fluid in said reservoir.

26. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 25, wherein inlet means is provided on said intake reservoir for introducing a priming or purging fluid to said pump 27. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 24, wherein said inlet openings into said intake reservoir are in replaceable abrasion resistant liners.

28. A vertical centrifugal pump comprising a pump support means, a pump shaft means supported by said pump support means, pump case means supported by said pump support means in spaced relation thereto, impeller means and expeller means secured to said shaft means for rotation therewith, said impeller means being disposed within said case means, stationary means disposed adjacent said expeller means, said expeller means cooperating with said stationary means to form a labyrinth seal therebetween, and adjustment means for adjusting the clearance between the impeller and pump case.

29. A vertical centrifugal pump comprising: a pump casing; inlet means and outlet means in said pump casing; impeller means and expeller means disposed within said pump casing; elongate pump shaft means connected with the impeller means and expeller means and extending outwardly beyond the pump casing; means connected to the shaft remote from the casing for rotating the shaft and the impeller and expeller means; ad-

justrnent means adjacent the end of the shaft and including means carried thereby to adjust clearance between the said means carried by the adjustment means and the expeller; and further adjustment means adjacent the end of said shaft for adjusting clearance between the impeller means and pump casing.

30. A vertical centrifugal pump comprising: a pump casing; inlet means and outlet means in said pump casing; impeller means and expeller means disposed within said pump casing; elongate pump shaft means connected with the impeller means and expeller means and extending outwardly beyond the pump casing; means connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the impeller and expeller means; means cooperating with said expeller means to form a labyrinth seal therebetween; and adjustment means for adjusting clearance between said expeller means and said cooperating means and between said impeller means and said casing. 

1. A vertical centrifugal pump comprising a normally horizontally disposed pump support means, normally vertically disposed pump shaft means extending through an opening in said pump support means and supported relative thereto, pump case means supported by said pump support means in spaced relation thereto, impeller means secured to said shaft means for rotation therewith, said impeller means being disposed within said case means, expeller means adjacent said impeller means and connected for rotation with said shaft means, stationary means disposed adjacent said expeller means, said expeller means cooperating with said stationary means to form a labyrinth seal therebetween, and adjustment means for adjusting the clearance between the impeller means and pump case.
 2. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 1, wherein said shaft means includes a stationary shaft and a rotating shaft coaxially arranged therewith.
 3. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 2, wherein said stationary shaft is disposed coaxially within said rotating shaft.
 4. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 3, wherein said rotating shaft includes a lower end and an upper end, an impeller hub on the lower end of said rotating shaft, said impeller means being secured to said impeller hub.
 5. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 4, wherein bearing means are disposed between said rotating shaft and said stationary shaft foR rotatably supporting said rotating shaft relative to said stationary shaft.
 6. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 5, wherein the upper end of said stationary shaft extends upwardly beyond said pump support means, and a stationary shaft support sleeve is engaged in supporting relationship with the upper end of said stationary shaft for supporting said stationary shaft relative to said pump support means.
 7. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 1, wherein said stationary means comprises die ring means supported in operative position relative to said expeller means by means of a die ring cylinder disposed in coaxial surrounding relationship to said shaft means.
 8. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 7, having means wherein said die ring cylinder is longitudinally adjustable relative to said shaft means to thereby adjust the position of said die ring means relative to said expeller means.
 9. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 8, wherein said pump case means is supported relative to said pump support means by a guide means connected at one end to the pump support means and at the other end to the pump case means, said guide means including means engaged with said die ring cylinder to maintain the shaft means and impeller means in proper operative alignment with the pump case means.
 10. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 5, wherein said bearing means includes upper bearing means disposed between said rotating shaft and said stationary shaft and lower bearing means disposed between the lower end of said stationary shaft and said rotating shaft.
 11. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 10, wherein said rotating shaft is comprised of three portions, including an upper bearing ring disposed in surrounding relationship to said upper bearing means, a lower bearing ring disposed in surrounding relationship to said lower bearing means, and a rotating bearing housing connected at its opposite ends to said upper bearing ring and said lower bearing ring, respectively.
 12. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 10, wherein said rotating shaft is of substantially one-piece construction and includes an upper end disposed in surrounding relation to said upper bearing means and a lower end disposed in surrounding relation to said lower bearing means.
 13. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means includes means operatively connected to said shaft means for adjusting the position of the shaft means relative to the pump support means and the impeller relative to the pump case means for adjusting the clearance between the impeller means and the pump case means.
 14. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 13, wherein said adjustment means further includes means operatively connected with said pump case means for adjusting the position of said pump case means relative to said pump support means and to said impeller means for adjusting the clearance between said impeller means and said pump case means.
 15. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 6, wherein said adjustment means includes means operatively associated with sad stationary shaft means and with said pump support means for adjusting the stationary shaft means, rotating shaft means and impeller means in an axial direction relative to said pump case means for adjusting the clearance between said impeller means and said pump case means.
 16. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 15, wherein the upper end of said stationary shaft means extends upwardly beyond said stationary shaft support sleeve and has external thread means thereon, said adjustment means comprising an adjustment nut means threaded on said externa1 thread means so that when said nut is turned, said stationary shaft is longitudinally adjusted relative to said sleeve.
 17. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 16, wherein said adjustment means includes means operatively connected with said means for adjusting the longitudinal position of said stationary shaft and said impeller for simultaneously adjusting the position of said die ring means commensurate with adjustment of said impeller means to maintain the clearance between the expeller means and die ring means constant as the clearance between said impeller means and said pump case means is adjusted.
 18. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 17, wherein said externally threaded portion of said stationary shaft means includes a diametrically reduces portion defining an upwardly facing shoulder means, said means for adjusting the position of said die ring means including a support plate means clamped between said shoulder means and a nut means threadably engaged on said reduced diameter portion so that said support plate means is secured to said stationary shaft for movement therewith, and support rod means connected with said support plate means and said die ring means for moving said die ring means along with said support plate means as said stationary shaft means is moved to maintain the clearance between the expeller means and die ring means constant as the clearance between said impeller means and said pump case means is adjusted.
 19. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 18, wherein a die ring adjustment cylinder is disposed in coaxial surrounding relationship to said rotating shaft means and includes a lower end connected with said die ring means and an upper end connected with said support rod means.
 20. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 19, wherein the upper end of said stationary shaft means includes a diametrically enlarged, externally threaded portion and a nut means is threadably engaged with said diametrically enlarged portion and is in operative engagement with said stationary shaft support sleeve means for supporting the stationary shaft in predetermined axial position relative to said stationary shaft support sleeve means.
 21. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 16, wherein said adjustment means further includes separate adjustment means operatively connected with said pump case for adjusting the position of said pump case relative to said impeller means.
 22. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 21, wherein said separate adjustment means comprises a plurality of rod means operatively connected at one end to said pump case means and adjustably connected at the other end to said main pump support means.
 23. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 22, wherein said rod means comprises a plurality of elongate rods, said other end of each of said rods extending through a hole in said main pump support, external thread means on sad other end of each said rod means, and nut means threadably engaged with said external threads on said rod means above and below said main pump support means for adjustably positioning said rod means relative to said pump support means and said pump case means relative to said impeller means.
 24. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 1, wherein intake reservoir means is operatively connected to said pump case and forms an inlet to said pump case for fluid to be pumped, said intake reservoir having a plurality of inlet openings therein.
 25. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 24, wherein anti-vortexing means are provided in said intake reservoir adjacent said inlet openings for substantially reducing vortical movement of fluid in said reservoir.
 26. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 25, wherein inlet means is provided on said intake reservoir for introducing a priming or purging fluid to said pump casing.
 27. A vertical centrifugal pump as in claim 24, wherein said inlet openings into said intake reservoir are in replaceable abrasion resistant liners.
 28. A vertical centrifugal pump comprising a pump support means, a pump shaft means supported by said pump support means, pump case means supported by said pump support means in spaced relation thereto, impeller means and expeller means secured to said shaft means for rotation therewith, said impeller means being disposed within said case means, statIonary means disposed adjacent said expeller means, said expeller means cooperating with said stationary means to form a labyrinth seal therebetween, and adjustment means for adjusting the clearance between the impeller and pump case.
 29. A vertical centrifugal pump comprising: a pump casing; inlet means and outlet means in said pump casing; impeller means and expeller means disposed within said pump casing; elongate pump shaft means connected with the impeller means and expeller means and extending outwardly beyond the pump casing; means connected to the shaft remote from the casing for rotating the shaft and the impeller and expeller means; adjustment means adjacent the end of the shaft and including means carried thereby to adjust clearance between the said means carried by the adjustment means and the expeller; and further adjustment means adjacent the end of said shaft for adjusting clearance between the impeller means and pump casing.
 30. A vertical centrifugal pump comprising: a pump casing; inlet means and outlet means in said pump casing; impeller means and expeller means disposed within said pump casing; elongate pump shaft means connected with the impeller means and expeller means and extending outwardly beyond the pump casing; means connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the impeller and expeller means; means cooperating with said expeller means to form a labyrinth seal therebetween; and adjustment means for adjusting clearance between said expeller means and said cooperating means and between said impeller means and said casing. 